Pages

About Us

Welcome to the

Black Marines Heritage Group

The purpose
of this organization is to celebrate, retain and pass on the legacy, history
and contributions that Black Marines have made to the United States Marine Corps' growth and
success since 1942.

We have an
obligation to ensure that this country, and particularly the Black Marines currently serving and all those who will serve in the future, understand our beginnings.

We believe
that it is our responsibility and duty to inform those Marines of our legacy.

This
organization was founded by six Marines in the year 2002 after gathering to pay
our respect upon the passing of one of our own, Master Sergeant Floyd Delano Rouse.

It is ironic
that we established an organization to preserve the history of Black Marines
when the person that we were honoring was himself a historian.Master Sergeant Floyd D. Rouse was a member of “The Flying Leatherneck
Historical Foundation” and served as one of its Aviation Historians!

Over the years, many Black Marines would only see each other or get
together for funerals of our fallen comrades, and rarely had mutual gatherings for happier times.

After attending Retired MSGT Floyd D. Rouses’
funeral, in California in April 2002, we discussed the need to come
together at a time other than mourning and decided that the time had
in fact arrived and a plan must be implemented. The Black Marine Reunion is the result of that plan.

Also we felt a need to document the
contribution that we as Black Marines, have made to the United States Marine Corps. As those
of us who entered the Corps during and after Montford Point days well know, every achievement and accomplishment was hard fought and well earned!

When we decided to start this
organization we didn’t know of any archives at Headquarters Marine Corps that documented
in detail our service as Black Marines other than the service of the Montford
Point Marines, who first broke the color barrier in 1942 at this segregated boot camp in North Carolina.

It was believed that recording had stopped
Camp Montford Point was closed.There were
some references to our service in combat when we started in the Corps, but nothing on how far we have progressed. Black Marines have since fought in every war, moved into every technical field, performed in all types of jobs and have distinguished themselves as true leaders at every level throughout the Marine Corps!The previous Marine
Corps Museum at Quantico, Virginia did not properly reflect what we as Black
Marines have contributed.

The Montford Point Marines were the
spearhead for the introduction of Blacks into the Marine Corps but we the “Post
Montford Pointers” (1950 thru today), are the body that took up the 'colors' and led the advancement of
Blacks throughout the Marine Corps.

In 2011 Congress presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines in recognition for their
service, in a ceremony held at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. More than 20,000 African-American Marines trained at the segregated facility at Camp Montford Point on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene N.C. from 1942 to 1949.

We are documenting our contribution to
the Marine Corps, “As we lived it!”

Another important reason for the Black Marine Reunion is to
create a Network that will allow us to remain in contact with each other. How many
times have you wondered how to locate a fellow Marine from your past?Through our Newsletter, Member Mailing List and the Black Marines Reunion Website, www.blackmarinereunion.comyou should be
able to contact someone who may know the answer to that question. You will also always be able to stay up to date with our agenda.

We recognize that there have been great changes in our Marine Corps and the change is visible everywhere in day to day operations, wherever Marines serve.We now see many Black one star, two star and three star Generals, 'Bird' Colonels, Staff
officers and senior enlisted Black Marines. We've even watched a Black Marine go into space commanding the Space Shuttle! Four of the most recent Sergeant’s Majors of the Marine Corps are
Black Marines.These changes occurred
because of the “Service, Endurance and Perseverance of the early Black Marines.
These Marine’s stories will help paint the full and complete picture of the United States Marine Corps.

We welcome all Marines to submit their personal
stories of how Black Marines contributed to the success and legacy of 'Our' Marine Corps.

Thank you for your interest in the Black
Marine Heritage Group.

Join us at our upcoming Reunions and continue writing this
wonderful story of our Marine Corps.